The climax of the 2026 edition of The Hundred is set for Sunday at Lord's, and the stakes could not be higher for both the men's and women's sides of the Trent Rockets. A double triumph for the Rockets – winning both the men's and women's finals – would be a historic achievement, and Sam Billings is on the brink of a fourth consecutive Hundred title. At the same time, the defending women's champions, SunRisers Leeds, are eager to retain the trophy they won last year when they were known as the Northern Superchargers, while the Manchester Super Giants will be looking to upset the men’s side. Both Rockets squads entered the final weekend having dominated the group stage, each topping their respective tables with a combined record of 13 wins out of 16 matches.
Their consistency earned them a place directly in the championship match, bypassing the eliminator that other teams had to endure. In addition to the individual titles, the franchise also secured the newly introduced Hundred Helix award, which recognises the best overall performance across both the men's and women's competitions. This accolade underscores the Rockets' depth and balance throughout the season.
The women's final will kick off first at 2:15 p.m. on the hallowed turf of Lord's, the so‑called Home of Cricket. They will face SunRisers Leeds, the side that lifted the women's trophy a year ago after rebranding from the Northern Superchargers. The men’s final follows at 6 p.m., pitting the Rockets against the Manchester Super Giants.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix, with streaming options available via NOW for those without a traditional Sky subscription. For the Rockets women, this is a maiden final appearance.
After five previous campaigns that ended either in group‑stage elimination or a loss in the eliminator, they have finally broken through to the championship match. The squad’s journey has been one of steady improvement, and the players are keen to convert that progress into a first‑ever Hundred title. The men’s side, by contrast, have a more decorated recent history. They captured the inaugural Hundred championship in 2022, and since then Sam Billings has become synonymous with the tournament.
After a three‑year run of titles with the Oval Invincibles – a streak that ended with the Rockets defeating his former team in the 2025 final – Billings now leads the Rockets and is on the cusp of a fourth straight personal triumph. His acquisition was a masterstroke for the franchise: the Invincibles, rebranded as MI London, released him ahead of the auction, allowing the Rockets to snap him up. Billings’ form has been exemplary, and his leadership will be a key factor on Sunday.
Billings, speaking ahead of the final, expressed his pride and excitement: "It’s an incredible feeling to be in a position to win another title, especially with a different team. I grew up dreaming of playing at Lord’s, and now I’m living that dream. The opportunity to compete here every year is something I never take for granted. Our squad is experienced, many of us have been in finals before, and the energy in the camp has been fantastic throughout the tournament." His counterpart for the Super Giants, Jos Buttler, will also be leading his side after South Africa’s Aiden Markram stepped away for personal reasons.
Buttler has been in blistering form, amassing 311 runs in the competition, including four half‑centuries, and he blasted a rapid 33 off 20 balls in the eliminator win over SunRisers on Friday night. "We’ve got a lot of variety and depth in our squad," Buttler noted, "but we respect the Rockets – they topped the group and beat us in Manchester, which gives us confidence.
Still, every final is a new challenge, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got." On the women’s side, SunRisers captain Dani Gibson – one of only three English captains in the women’s tournament alongside London Spirit’s Charlie Dean and MI London’s Hollie Armitage – will lead her side against the Rockets’ Australian skipper Ash Gardner. Gibson’s experience includes playing for England in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s earlier in the year, a match in which England fell to an Australian side that featured Gardner.
Both captains bring a wealth of international experience and will be pivotal in shaping the outcome of the final. Gardner, who also shares the field with fellow 2026 World Cup winners Kim Garth and Beth Mooney, highlighted the significance of the occasion: "Lord’s holds a lot of special memories for me. Returning to the same dressing room brings good energy, and having a few Australians in the side helps because we know how to handle big moments.
Sunday is a fresh challenge, but we have plenty of positive memories to draw on and confidence from what we’ve done well all season." Gibson, meanwhile, emphasized preparation and adaptability: "Every team has star players, but success comes down to how well we prepare, adapt to the conditions, communicate, and enjoy the game. We’ll be focused on executing our plan and making the most of the opportunities that come our way." The finals promise a showcase of the tournament’s best talent, with the potential for an English captain to lift both men’s and women’s trophies.
Billings’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive personal title, buttressed by his stellar batting and tactical acumen, will be matched against Buttler’s explosive form and leadership. On the women’s side, the clash between Gibson’s disciplined English side and Gardner’s experienced Australian‑led Rockets adds another layer of intrigue.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix from 2 p.m. on Sunday to watch the action live.
The women’s match starts at 2:15 p.m., followed by the men’s final at 6 p.m. For those without a Sky subscription, the games will be available contract‑free via the NOW streaming service. The atmosphere at Lord’s is expected to be electric, with both finals offering a blend of high‑octane cricket, strategic nuance, and the unique festival vibe that The Hundred has cultivated over its short but vibrant history.